Web and Browser Basics

The World Wide Web works through an interaction of computers, networks, and software.  This interaction provides access to documents or files on Internet connected computers.  Very briefly, the elements that make the web work are:

• Web servers (powerful computers connected to the Internet)
• Web browser software
• Hyperlinks (URLs or Internet addresses)
• Clients (any computer that makes requests for information from servers)

Web Server
An Internet connected computer running server software that offers (serves) web documents.  Web documents or pages are files stored on Web server computers.

Web Browser
Software that navigates and displays Web pages.  We use browsers to follow hyperlinks and to view and print Web pages. At B&ECPL, we use Microsoft Internet Explorer.  Other popular browsers include Firefox, Safari, and Google's Chrome.

URL (uniform resource locator) or web address
The Web works because each web page has a unique web address or URL that the browser can find.  A URL is a string of letters, punctuation, and sometimes numbers. The browser's address box displays the URL of the document you are currently viewing. 

Using and Typing URLs
When you find a document that you want to view again, write down the URL. Type it exactly as written in the address box. URLs do not have spaces, and most versions of Web browsers do not require the http:// prefix.

Try typing a URL into the browser's address box.

Domain Names
Domain names are used in URLs to identify particular Web pages. Look at the URL and in particular the domain name for clues to its origin. Every domain name has a suffix that indicates what type of organization owns it.  For example:

• .com indicates a commercial business
  http://www.bloomingdales.com   Bloomingdales
• .edu indicates an educational institution
  http://www.ecc.edu  Erie Community College
• .gov indicates a governmental institution
  http://www.irs.ustreas.gov  U.S. Internal Revenue Service
• .mil indicates military
  http://www.navy.mil  United States Navy
• .net indicates a general Internet or network organization
  http://www.arthistory.net Art History Network
• .org indicates a non-profit organization
  http://www.pbs.org  PBS

Hypertext/Hyperlinks
When viewing Web pages, you will see that some words are highlighted.  Click on these highlighted words or images to connect to another document anywhere on the Web. If you are unsure whether the text or graphic is actually a link, put your mouse over it.  If the white mouse arrow changes to a hand, it is a hyperlink.

A link can be a colored, underlined word or words.  By clicking on the Central Library Training Lab link, you will be at B&ECPL's Computer Training home page.

A link can also look like a graphic. As in the following example, sometimes the graphic looks like a box or button.

Put your mouse over the graphical button and click the button on your mouse to connect to information about the Library's graphic novels initiative.

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